FL Chapter 2

A bathroom, without the presence of a patron, was filled with a holy sense of security. I was humming a song while washing my hands when KK walked in. He didn’t go to the urinal but stood beside me in front of the sink. He lowered his voice and said, “Xiao Tong, next time, just go along with what Bi An says and don’t refute him.”

I wondered, “Why?”

“So you don’t know. Bi An got a backer. I heard him and …”

KK made a gesture to go nearer, so I leaned over to listen.

“Bi An and Mr. Zhang are having an affair,” KK whispered.

I looked at KK with surprise. That was unexpected.

Mr. Zhang was a well-known figure in our circle. He had shares in our company, Yitian, and several other companies including TV stations. All those who were supported by Mr. Zhang have been raised like flowers and crops, with Mr.Zhang paving the path for them. However, I have never heard of Mr. Zhang supporting newcomers who have yet to debut, relying on appearance alone. Then again, Bi An does have this qualification to be exempted.

Oh, but what is ambiguity? Isn’t it a relationship between the owner and his pet? I pinched my cheeks and laughed silently in my heart.

Truthfully, seeing KK’s hesitant expression made me feel awkward. I also have a patron, and although he only gave me a pair of pants from the children’s section, our relationship was still essentially the same as having a patron. So basically, there was no difference between me and Bi An.

Nevertheless, to have a backer is to have a backer. It would be too much of an exaggeration for me to say nothing. And besides, his backer isn’t even Anla… Uh, is it Anla or Allah? 

“You don’t say…” I replied. Even if I told Ji Shi that I was being beaten up in the group every day, I’m guessing he would only laugh out loud. He wouldn’t stand up for me and cause such a big issue.

“You are so naive. Do you know why Shang Gary lost the casting for CBC’s ‘Truth or Dare’ variety show and chose Bi An in the end?”

CBC’s “Truth or Dare” was a super popular outdoor entertainment variety show program. There were five permanent artists on the show, and two or three guests were invited to participate in the show in each episode. This show has always been popular. Some second-tier, or even third-tier, artists could attract a lot of attention, gather a great number of fans and be internet sensations just by appearing on the show. Some time ago, it just so happened that one of the resident artists of the show had other work arrangements overseas and was leaving the program; hence, a casting call was held.

The program team wanted to find a new face. According to KK, the director initially took a fancy to our group’s King of Joy, Shang Gary. But Bi An wanted to join the show so Shang Gary was switched out.

No wonder. I have pondered on why the cheerful Shang Gary, who was so suited to participating in variety shows, wasn’t selected. They picked the inexpressive Bi An to appear on the show instead. Turns out Mr. Zhang was the man behind it.

“Also, do you know why the assistant, Xiao Zhao, whom our agent Cai Ni ge assigned to us, was suddenly replaced?” KK patted my shoulder, “In short, watch your words when you speak. Don’t offend him, and follow along as much as possible.”

I was still feeling a little lost when the phone in my pocket suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Ji Shi: “Treat me to XXX for dinner. I am hungry.”

I’d never heard of the restaurant called XXX, so I asked KK where it was situated. KK called me crazy, said it was a Three-Star Michelin French Restaurant, and asked me if I could afford it.

I hurriedly took out my phone and checked it again and again. There was no mistake. Ji Shi indeed asked me to treat him. I flipped open my wallet and knew I wouldn’t be able to treat him to this meal, but I couldn’t ignore my patron’s invitation. I could only convince myself that he was probably just casually saying it was my treat, but he would still be paying the bill in the end. With that mindset, I headed straight to the French restaurant.

I waited for Ji Shi to arrive outside the French restaurant. I didn’t dare go in alone. As I rubbed my arms while waiting, a black Mercedes-Benz SUV pulled up in front of the restaurant. Ji Shi wore a pair of sunglasses enough to cover half of his face. He got out of the car and said, “Baby, have you waited long?”

Can you, a pretty boy, stop calling “baby, baby” every time you open your mouth?

Ji Shi hugged me from behind like an octopus uninhibitedly. The way he stuck to me made us look less suspicious. I looked at the glass reflection. We both looked like a pair of good friends displaying a public display of affection with no shame; or like an old lady carrying a big baby on her back. Either way, there definitely won’t be any rumors of sex scandals.

When Ji Shi caught me looking at the glass reflection, he pulled down his sunglasses and asked, “Baby, am I handsome?”

I looked at both of our reflections and said, “It’s like David and Goliath meeting each other from a thousand miles~”

Ji Shi said one of the reasons why he decided to be my patron and support me was because I could always make him laugh. What he doesn’t know is that every time I entertain him, I don’t disparage myself as well. He is David, and I am Goliath. I didn’t suffer any losses.

Ji Shi was amused and walked into the restaurant with a flowery smile, and I followed behind him like a little wife. As soon as we sat down, I apologetically said, “This meal will cost you a lot of money, I’m sorry.”

Please respond with “I have money, don’t worry, this one is on me.” or “Baby, please don’t be like a stranger!” 

“Didn’t we agree it would be your treat?”

What the—  are you for real?!

Seeing the cold sweat on my forehead, Ji Shi wiped it gently with a napkin and said, “You can already have a meal at a top-notch Japanese restaurant; surely, you’re not lacking in money for this meal.”

So you do secretly follow my alt account. How can you be so petty?

I can only say, “Then let’s consider it as I owe you and put it on my tab?”

Ji Shi placed his arms on his chest, stared at the ceiling for a while as if deliberating, and then reluctantly said, “Fine, I won’t tease my baby for being poor.”

With such a patron, this baby is really in distress! 

When it comes to how I found this patron, you can’t blame me for it. I also have foresight. Ji Shi was the one who first took an interest in me, insisting to accompany me for half a day. I did not take the initiative to entice this psychopath to be my patron! Although I thought he looked pleasing to the eyes, and I often took a few glances whenever we met in the company, that’s because I am an artist and am more sensitive to this aspect. It was just pure appreciation.

I would never have thought I would cross paths with Ji Shi. In my mind, Ji Shi was like Mona Lisa in the Louvre, someone I would never encounter in this lifetime.

Three years ago, I signed a contract with Yitian. Two years later, my grandmother passed away, so I rushed to the hospital overnight but still failed to see her for the last time. Now that my grandmother has passed away, my sister and I only have each other.

That period was difficult for me. Every time I passed by the hospital and saw an old lady walking in the park, my nose would clog up. It was at this time that I met Ji Shi.

It was snowing that night. I sat in a daze on the flower bed outside the company. I didn’t know what I was thinking. No matter how tired I trained or how often the dance instructor scolded me during practice, I usually wouldn’t feel bitter. But that day, I felt dejected. I thought the dance instructor’s words were too harsh. I thought now that my grandmother was gone, and if I failed to debut, in that case, I wouldn’t have the money to support my sister to attend the Academy of Fine Arts. What should I do then?

It was right at that moment. A voice sounded from behind me, “Hey, you.”

I turned around in a daze and saw the lead singer of LOTUS in a light brown fluffy lapel trench coat walking towards me in the misty snow.

Many people likely thought the same way I did, thinking that Ji Shi is like a vase, pretty on the outside but empty on the inside. However, when this vase appears in front of you, trust me, all those shortcomings on how he can’t sing would instantly float in the clouds, and only three words would be left in your mind — a huge celebrity. Just like I did that time.

I hastily stood up, thinking this senior wanted my help with something.

Ji Shi looked at me for a while and then said the most unforeseen words I have ever thought I would hear in all my life: “How about I sponsor you?”

The impact of this sentence on me was like this: Thor, the god of Thunder, fell from the sky and slapped me into the realms of reality with a hammer.

Ji Shi came over and loosened the belt of his coat. I thought he was taking something out, or maybe he just felt too hot. But when he took off the light brown trench coat he had on, he hung it on my shoulders and said, “Think about it and give me a reply tomorrow.”

The coat was lined with soft cashmere, and with his body heat, my mind was completely lost.

Sitting on the subway, the picture of Ji Shi standing under the snowy lamp, loosening the belt of his coat, and undoing the wooden buttons one by one kept replaying in my head. That scene was more appealing than when he placed the coat on my shoulders because it brought along a childish earnestness.

However, this matter lacked logic from start to end when I thought about it carefully. Could it be that Ji Shi was drunk? I lowered my head and sniffed the coat. But there was no smell of alcohol, only a tinge of men’s perfume. I can’t describe what kind of smell it was, but it smelled young and cheerful, just like Ji Shi.

Ji Shi and I haven’t even taken a photo together in the company. It should be that I recognized him, but he doesn’t recognize me. So how did he hit a nail in his head and suddenly ask me that question? The more I thought about it, the more I felt that maybe it was a misunderstanding. The way he asked me was too casual.

I dry-cleaned the snow-soaked Burberry coat and brought it to the company in the early morning the next day. I secretly placed the trench coat outside of the office of LOTUS’ agent. I didn’t look for Ji Shi, but I didn’t expect him to look for me instead in the afternoon that day.

I was holding my breath in the bathroom at that time when someone suddenly knocked on the door. I impatiently replied, “It is occupied.” Isn’t it obvious? The door is closed. There was silence outside the door until I heard Ji Shi’s voice, “What do you think?”

I was speechless.

“Senior, are you sure you aren’t mistaken?” I asked cautiously.

“About what?”

“Do you¹He used a more respectful way of saying ‘you’. know my name?”

“What are you using ‘you’ for? I’m only 25 years old. You make it sound like I’m an old man.” Ji Shi smiled.

This is an honorific term for respect. How did you even learn Chinese? I silently complained, but the complaint could only be heard by myself, so I asked again, “So senior, don’t know who I am?”

“I know. Your name is Xiao Tong.” Someone passed by outside so Ji Shi leaned against the door and furtively added, “You’re one of those newcomers.”

Hearing his tone, I assumed I was just one of the lot. I scratched my head and asked, “Then why do you want to support me?”

“I often passed by your training room and always thought you were quite right for me.” Ji Shi replied confidently.

“…” This can also work? In your eyes, are the newcomers in that training room all a bunch of chattering ducks? I have finally seen the ugly side of the entertainment industry! But I didn’t want to offend a senior, so I had no choice but to tactfully reply, “I don’t want to get sponsored so offhandedly.”

“In short, getting a patron means you help me warm my bed, and in return, I will help you privately to make it easier for you.”

Who told you I don’t understand what it means to have a patron? But then again, thinking of warming the bed and of Ji Shi’s face, I am quite willing to let him do so… Though I think by doing so, I would make it in the entertainment industry, however, there are still some principles I adhere to. Even if someday I will be dyed red beyond recognition, at least I will be the last one to drown. So I didn’t accept this rotten invitation: “I’m sorry, senior.” I refused righteously, stretched out my hand, and with a “swish” pulled out a toilet paper, ready to end this meaningless conversation.

“Why are you apologizing?”

I already said it quite clearly, why don’t you understand? I said, “I’ve been very busy recently.”

“Do you read any entertainment genre novels?” Ji Shi suddenly asked out of the blue.

“No.” I replied, “I prefer reading web novels from Qidian.²Qidian is a platform from China where you can read novels.”

“Qidian web novels? Aren’t those stallion³Stallion novels, Ma Wen, or 馬文 refers to a genre of web novels, usually with no emotions attached, where the main lead is like a stallion that only knows how to mate. Several partners compete to mate with it, similar to a harem. However, unlike the harem, Stallion novels don’t have multiple heroines. novels? Are you straight?”

“No! I read ‘XX Notes‘, ‘XX Master’, and the like. Not those stallion novels!” What an insult to my taste!

“If you’re not a straight man, just say no. Why are you so full of righteous indignation~~” Ji Shi laughed.

I stared at the door. Why do I feel… Why do I feel there is a loose screw in the head of LOTUS’ lead singer?

“So, are you letting me or not?”

I had a terrible headache with this conversation, but in the end, my principles prevailed. I took my hands down from covering my face and stared at the door. I whispered my reply like a mosquito, “No.”

A snort sounded behind the door; then, there was silence.

I couldn’t drag it any longer, so I pulled up my pants and carefully opened the door. There was no one outside. In the unique smell of the bathroom, only a touch of a man’s perfume remained.

I couldn’t possibly have offended him, right?

• 1
  He used a more respectful way of saying ‘you’.
• 2
  Qidian is a platform from China where you can read novels.
• 3
  Stallion novels, Ma Wen, or 馬文 refers to a genre of web novels, usually with no emotions attached, where the main lead is like a stallion that only knows how to mate. Several partners compete to mate with it, similar to a harem. However, unlike the harem, Stallion novels don’t have multiple heroines.